Literary Trivia

We’ve got some crazy books all throughout the Wren’s Nest. The other day I was rummaging up in the attic, seeing what I could see, and I came across a bunch of autographed books from the turn of the century.

There’s a book written by Andrew Carnegie, signed by Andrew Carnegie. A book by Rudyard Kipling, signed by Rudyard Kipling. A book by Margaret Mitchell, signed by Margaret Mitchell. Yes, it’s Gone with the Wind. No, it’s not a first edition.

In the Kipling book, the author signed the title page by crossing out the typed Rudyard Kipling and writing in his name instead. Mr. Kipling had children of his own and actually read the Uncle Remus stories to them before bed.

Andrew Carnegie was also a great admirer of Joel Chandler Harris, and his efforts, along with President (Theodore) Roosevelt’s, raised the money so that this house could become a museum. Thanks, buddy.

I don’t know what Margaret Mitchell thought of Uncle Remus and Joel Chandler Harris, but I do know that her house in Midtown burned down due to arson. Twice. Amazingly, the room that she lived in remained untouched by fire. Once you’re done visiting the Wren’s Nest, definitely check out the Margaret Mitchell House.

Also, I just discovered the title of one of our prominently displayed books from the nineteenth century. I’ve walked by it everyday since I’ve been here, but I wonder why I had never noticed Female Beauty and the Art of Pleasing before. I wonder what that’s about. Sorry, no link for this one.